Digestive and Bowel disorders

We are prescribed medicines which do not get to the root of the problem, but rather just mask the symptoms.

So what is digestion?

Digestion is the process where food substances are broken down into a manageable product which is small enough to move onto the next stage which is absorption.

Absorption is the process where nutrients cross the gut wall and into the blood and lymph circulation where they are then transported to all cells for use by the body.

Nutrients are converted into energy and waste products are eliminated.

Digestion actually starts in the mouth when food is chewed (masticated) and mixed with saliva is already on its way to being digested. Saliva contains the digestive enzyme Amylase which breaks down starchy food. The very action of chewing sends a message to the stomach to prepare it for the arrival of food and also to the bowel to get it to empty excess waste to make room for new.

Chewing is important and we need to make food more liquid to help digestion further down, rather than swallowing food in large pieces making digestion more difficult.

Rushing food causes strain on the digestion process and results in bloating, excess wind and gas and discomfort and pain.

The food is then swallowed and the oesophagus goes through a series of muscular contractions (peristalsis) to move the food down the gullet and into the stomach.

Your stomach is located on the left as you look down from the breast down diagonally to just above the naval and is a J shaped sack and it produces hydrochloric acid, pepsin and lipase.

Hydrochloric acid is very powerful therefore the stomach lining is protected from its corrosive action by a thick layer of mucus.

However, the lining can get irritated by highly spiced food, alcohol, smoking, medications such as ibuprofen, causing gastritis.

Low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) is just as problematic as too much acid and carries many of he same symptoms such as heartburn, belching, bloating, pain and discomfort in the upper chest, nausea.

Low stomach acid also causes other problems like food sensitivities, candida, poor gut flora, parasites, undigested food in stools, anal itching, skin outbreaks and acne, blotchy skin, broken capilliaries on the face, ridged nails and belching.

Helicobacter pylori bacteria can multiply and cause a gastric ulcer.

Fortunately we can supplement hydrochloric acid and use digestive enzymes to help if stomach acid is low.

Doctors dont tend to think outside the box here and may prescribe antacids which will only make low stomach acid much worse.

After the stomach, the food is then pushed into the small intestine. It is divided into 3 sections, the duodenum where minerals are absorbed, jejenum and the luch longer section calledthe ileum which is 12 feet long.

These sections are full of ducts and it is here that the digestive process is aided by other secretions from organs including the pancreas and gall bladder.

The small intestine does not have a thick mucus lining like the stomach and it is its acid/alkali balance which protects it from damage assited by the pancreas and a complex messaging system where hormones come into play that actually detect whether the is too much acid and trigger alkali to neutralise over production. it is important that the balancing act of acid alkali is maintained because the pancreatic enzymes can only operate in a neutral or slightly alkaline environment.

Enzymes such as protease deal with proteins, amylase deals with complex carbohydrates (starches) breaking them down into simple sugars and lipase together with bile, deals with fats.

One of the most important other organs which assists in the digestive processes of the small intestine is the liver by producing a constant flow of bile and detoxing undesirable substances as well as breaking down fats, the pancreas produces digestive enzymes as well as assiting with the acid/alkali balance and the hormones, insulin and glucagon that are responsible for controlling blood sugar levels.

Many things can go wrong in the small intestine. Anything that upsets the acid/alkali balance can have repercussions on our health. The duodenum can become ulcerated. The bile flow from the liver, if not sufficient, can cause problems in the liver and gall bladder also. Bad bacteria and toxins as well as fats build up causing many health issues, bloating, allergies, constipation, wind, indigestion and pain, which are all symptoms of liver dysfunction, another condition not recognised by G.P's and doctors whose liver functon tests only pick up a diseased liver. Had they recognised the ealy signs of dysfunction, then the liver may not have become diseased.

Gallstones are caused when bile becomes too concentrated.

Problems with the pancreas can cause digestive problems.

One of the conditions I would like to discuss in detail is Hypochlorhydria or low stomach acid.

The reason for this is because many chronic illness sufferers also suffer from low stomach acid. It can cause many problems.

Here is a list of signs and symptoms:

Anal irritation

Bad Breath

Undigested food in stools

Bloating

Burning discomfort

Constipation

Flatulence

Foul smelling wind

Metallic taste in mouth

Meal related burping

White spots on fingernails

Ridged or peeling nails

Nausea

Food sensitivities

Skin problems such as acne, red blothes, Hives and dermatitis

Sore tongue

Candida

Parasites

Disturbed Gut flora

Pain in upper chest

Dry mouth through lack of saliva

Drowsiness after meals

Offensive stools

IBS

Heart burn (strange though this may seem)

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, espeically B12, B1 and zinc

Certain Medical conditions are more susceptible such as:

Autoimmune Disease sufferes such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Hypothyroidism, Candida sufferers, Alcoholics or those who consume a lot of alcohol, Adrenal fatigue and those who suffer from stress or who have stressful jobs, those who suffer from allergic conditions and Asthma suffers, eczema sufferes, those who suffer from Adult onset acne, IBS sufferers and chronic uticaria (hives) sufferers.

Some of these conditions could even be due to low stomach acid.

If you take thyroid medication and you are not improving this could be due to malabsorption due to low/sluggish stomach acid production. Digestive enymes or HCL supplementation may well be the answer

Many people who go to their doctors with symptoms listed here will actually be prescribed antacids which will make the problem much worse. Patient will usually increase antacid medication assuming that they need more to get rid of the symptoms.

What can help?

Zinc supplementation as well as B vitamin, especially B6, B1 and B12 (B12 should be sublingual)

Apple Cider Vinegar or Lemon Juice taken with meals to stimulate hydrochloric acid production

Cayenne Pepper capsules stimulate the flow of saliva and HCL and one or two capsules before meals can help.

Herbal therapy such as digestive bitters, dandelion, devils claw, goldenseal, wormwood etc, can be very helpful indeed. Take either capsules or tea up to half an hour before meals

In cases of heartburn, ulcers or excessive stomach acid, these remedies should not be used.

Those suffering from HCL deficiency also have an increased need for detoxification

HCL supplementation

By far the best way to help or even return stomach acid to normal is the use of digestive emzymes or HCL supplements or a combination of both.

This therapy should be trialled first

Take 1 to 2 digestive enzymes before each meal to determine if digestion is compromised.

If there is an improvement, continue with therapy. If symptoms of over acidity or other excessive wind/bloating, discontinue as it may be that the enzymes have restored enzyme levels and no more are required.

Digestive enzymes are very beneficial when also combined with serrapeptase

Plant enzyme supplements are very beneficial because they do not depend on pH (see above) to do their job.

Pancreatic enzyme supplements are extracted from the pancreas of animals. However, pancreatic enzymes improve digestion and assimilation of proteins and other nutrients as well as reducing circulating immune complexes that cause antibody and autoantibody formation.

They are more easily degraded than plant enzymes, and less effective for supporting digestive activity. Pancreatic enzymes are only effective in the slightly alkaline environment of the small intestine.

Digestive enzymes are also found naturally in fresh ginger root, raw pineapple, green papaya, and kiwi fruit, but are weak compared to pancreatic or plant enzyme products. For example, the optimum temperature of activity for papain from papaya is between 140 and 158 degrees F, way above the body's temperature to be very effective in aiding digestion, however, eating these fruits can only benefit you whether combined with digestive enzymes or not. Also recommended are vitamin C, vitamin A, zinc, and pantothenic acid, which should help to improve digestive strength.

Digestive enzymes are a valuable part of any treatment program for chronic disease or anti ageing program.

They are also helpful with the following:

Allergies, autoimmune disease, ciculatory problems, fat malabsorption Hydrochloric Acid Deficiency, heartburn/GERD, Immune System Imbalance (TH2 Dominance) chronic hidden infection, parasites (blastocystosis), cystic fibrosis, Blood type O. etc